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The Heat and Warmth Fund

WWJ’s Winter Survival Radiothon benefiting THAW will take place on Feb. 8, 2014, from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tune into News Radio 950 and call in your support. Volunteers take calls at a past radiothon.

What We Do

For thousands of Michigan families, even their own home cannot protect them from the harshness of a Michigan winter. As temperatures drop, the cost to heat a home increases and, for many Michigan residents, energy is simply unaffordable. Soon many of our state’s most vulnerable citizens will be forced to make tough choices between heating their homes, paying their rent or mortgage, and taking care of other critical needs, such as buying food or medicine.

The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) has been providing energy assistance to Michigan residents in need since 1985. THAW works with 82 partner agencies across the state to deliver energy assistance for gas, electric and deliverable fuels such as wood and propane. In addition to providing emergency energy relief, THAW is developing prevention based tools and programs to help at-risk families before they have to suffer the devastating effects of shut off.

Last year, THAW distributed more than $14 million in energy assistance to 15,000 Michigan households. More than 70 percent of thosehouseholds had a child or senior in the home. The young and the elderly are especially vulnerable to the cold. More than 20,000 Michigan children lived in a household that received THAW assistance last year and 7,000 of those children were between newborn to preschool age.

Help us keep vulnerable residents safe and warm this winter by making a donation to THAW today. Thanks to your support, a single mom will be able to provide warm meals for her children, a senior citizen won’t have to choose between medication or heat, a child will have light to do homework by and a family can feel safe and warm in their own home.

Fundraising Events

The annual Night of Warm Hearts is THAW’s premier fundraising gala, above. This special evening is part of the Week of Warmth, a series of events focused on providing assistance, raising awareness and fundraising, and is presented by THAW and DTE Energy. This year's event will be held Nov. 14 from 6-10 p.m. at the historic Fillmore. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased at www.weekofwarmth.com.

Volunteering Opportunities

Give: Help us keep Michigan families warm this winter. Heat and electricity are essential and basic human needs during a Michigan winter. Recipients of THAW assistance include the elderly, unemployed, underemployed and disabled individuals who found themselves in an energy crisis. More than 70 percent of the households we assist have a child or senior in the home. Your donation to THAW makes a difference for your neighbors and community.